No Mahomes, No Magic: Chiefs’ Collapse Shows Just How Much He Covered Up
Let’s call it what it is: the Kansas City Chiefs are unraveling. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, the team that once struck fear into every defense in the league now looks like a shell of itself. Sunday’s 26-9 loss to the Titans didn’t just sting - it exposed the deep cracks that Mahomes had been masking all along.
This wasn’t just a bad game. It was a full-on unraveling.
Gardner Minshew, filling in for Mahomes, went down with a knee injury - feared to be a torn ACL - forcing the Chiefs to turn to third-stringer Chris Oladokun. And while Oladokun deserves credit for stepping into an impossible situation, it was clear from the jump: this offense without Mahomes is lost.
Mahomes Was the Glue
We’ve known for years that Mahomes is special - generational, even. But what we saw in Week 16 was a sobering reminder of just how much he’s been carrying. The offensive line couldn’t hold up in pass protection, the receiving corps looked toothless without Rashee Rice, and the defense - which had been a strength at times this season - let one of the league’s worst offenses move the ball with ease.
This wasn’t just a one-off bad day. This was the culmination of a season where Mahomes had been doing everything short of playing defense and calling plays.
With him out, the Chiefs’ flaws were laid bare. And they’re not small.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Kansas City has now dropped to 6-9, and their fall in the power rankings - now sitting at No. 22 - reflects just how far they’ve fallen. This is a team that’s not just out of playoff contention; they’re out of sorts.
The offense, once a juggernaut, is now borderline unwatchable. The defense, once opportunistic and aggressive, now looks gassed and overmatched.
And while fans might want to point fingers, the truth is this roster was built to orbit around Mahomes. Without him, the Chiefs look like a team without an identity - or a plan.
Leadership Void and Locker Room Reality
Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith made it clear after the game: they expected more from everyone, including rookie tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick Pole, who was making just his second NFL start. But this isn’t about one rookie. It’s about a team that’s used to being led by the best player in football and suddenly found itself without its heartbeat.
The Chiefs were missing more than just Mahomes - they were missing direction. And that’s not a knock on the locker room leaders. It’s just the reality of losing a player who elevates everyone around him.
What’s Next at Quarterback?
The final weeks of the season were supposed to be an audition for Gardner Minshew, a chance to show he could be a bridge if Mahomes isn’t ready by Week 1 of 2026. That plan’s likely out the window now. And if Sunday was any indication, Chris Oladokun isn’t the answer either.
Kansas City now faces a tough offseason decision: find a competent short-term solution without overcommitting in case Mahomes returns on time. Whether that means signing a veteran like Marcus Mariota or drafting a mid-round QB who can step in if needed, the front office has to walk a tightrope.
Defensive Disappointment
Kyle Long didn’t hold back in assessing the defense. Chris Jones has been a one-man wrecking crew for years, but this season, he’s been double- and triple-teamed with little help around him.
The Chiefs’ pass rush - once a calling card - has gone quiet. And without the defensive splash plays to bail them out, the offense’s struggles have nowhere to hide.
This team used to play complementary football. Now, both sides of the ball are failing to pick each other up.
Looking Ahead: Time for a Roster Reckoning
The Chiefs’ Super Bowl hangover has turned into a full-blown identity crisis. And while Mahomes will eventually return, this season should be a wake-up call for the front office.
Even the most transcendent quarterback needs help. Kansas City has leaned on Mahomes’ brilliance for years, but now it’s time to give him a more complete team.
The 2026 NFL Draft could offer some help - Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is already being mocked to Kansas City, and his elite production over the past two seasons suggests he could be a difference-maker. But no draft pick, no matter how talented, is going to fix all of this overnight.
Final Thought
For the first time in the Mahomes era, the Chiefs are playing meaningless December football. And it shows.
But if there’s a silver lining, it’s this: the cracks are now visible, and that gives Kansas City a chance to fix them. Because as good as Mahomes is, he can’t do it alone.
The dynasty talk is on pause. The rebuild - or at least a serious retool - starts now.